Solihull welcomes new Mayor

Councillor Mike Robinson was invested as the new and 63rd Mayor of Solihull at the Annual Council Meeting on Tuesday 17th May.

Elected to Solihull in 2004, Councillor Robinson has represented the Castle Bromwich ward for the last 12 years and has served on many Council committees over this period.

The Mayor will be supported in the role by his wife Jenny, as Mayoress of Solihull.

Born and raised in Yardley, Councillor Robinson was educated locally and aged 16 he enrolled at Solihull College of Further Education.

Not long after leaving college he joined a company specialising in the wholesale distribution of products to the construction industry. It was while he was here he developed his marketing and sales skills, becoming overall Group Sales/Marketing Manager in his early twenties.

Aged 25, Councillor Robinson, his wife Jenny and 11 month baby daughter Emma emigrated to Africa.

Whilst they were in Africa, Jenny gave birth to twin girls Sarah and Elizabeth.

On returning to the UK, Councillor Robinson set up his first business as a plumbers merchants. Since then he has started and run several enterprises, as diverse as an aluminium cladding company to running an office cleaning business.

Away from the offices of the Council, Councillor Robinson contributes to several outside bodies including Governor/Director of Park Hall Academy, Director/Trustee Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens and Director/Board member of Solihull Community Housing.

On his appointment the new Mayor said: “It really is both an honour and a privilege to have been vested as Mayor of this borough and I will do my very best to promote the interests of Solihull.”

The Mayor’s theme for this year is ‘Bridging the Generation Gap’.

People are living longer and the gap between the generations is becoming ever wider. Unfortunately, there are times when this can lead to a disconnect between generations because of a two way lack of understanding.

“I hope to promote closer links between each of the generations so prompting constructive relationships and a better understanding across all age groups,” he added.

The Mayor’s theme for the year is reflected in his choice of nominated charities – The Acorns Hospice Trust giving care and support to children with life threatening and life limiting conditions.

And the Eve Appeal – a charity working to promote early diagnosis and support for women with gynaecological cancers, a cause close to the Mayor’s heart.

Any organisations or individuals planning an event who would like the support of the Mayor are invited to email: mayor@solihull.gov.uk